Chargers: Intriguing options with Ingram out

Chargers: Intriguing options with Ingram out

Over the weekend the San Diego Chargers placed outside linebacker Melvin Ingram on injured reserved with a designation to return because of a hip injury. Ingram, who was coming off one of his best games as a pro, posted a +2.7 overall grade against the Seahawks in Week 2.

The Chargers will look to veterans Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson to fill in the void. Freeney, who has been the Chargers most consistent pass rusher this year, is second for 3-4 OLBs in our Pass Rushing Productivity category with two sacks and 11 hurries. Last year, Johnson proved to be one of the best run-stuffing OLBs in the NFL; finishing the year with 18 stops in 187 run snaps.

Tom Telesco knew that OLB was a position of need for the Chargers coming into the season. In the second round of the draft the Chargers took OLB Jeremiah Attaochu. he initially posted a +1.6 overall grade in his first game as a pro but has been hampered by a hamstring injury the last two weeks.

Also on the roster is 2013 sixth-round draft pick Tourek Williams, who had a productive preseason, and ex-CFL player Cordarro Law who had an expectationally tantalising one; logging seven QB disruptions on only 36 rushes.

The loss of Ingram is huge; but the Chargers have an intriguing mixture of veterans and youth that may be able to ‘hold the fort’ while Ingram is out.